I shake my head and roll my eyes. “How I feel is still valid.”
Hunter reaches across the table and takes Chloe’s hand in his. There’s an affectionate look between them that’s shows me how much they love each other. It’s something I’ve never had since Emma—and nothing I ever really wanted.
But Emma’s got me thinking.
Maybe I’m a fool for thinking of her the way I do—as some romanticised ideal I had when I was sixteen.
Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing her again.
“She’s back in town. Moved into a house on Elm Street. She called the office looking for help—I don’t think she knows it’s me—wanting some odd jobs done around the house. I went past her house today just to see if I could confirm it was her. She was out in the front yard.”
Chloe’s eyes soften. “And it’s her?”
I nod. “I felt like a stalker, but I just wanted to know. I’ll be going to see her tomorrow, but … I just had to try and see her.”
Chloe grasps my arm. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “There are things I want to know about when she left, but I don’t expect to get any explanation about why she never stayed in touch like she promised—not after so long. And I said some terrible things when she left. It wasn’t pretty.”
“I remember. You were so angry after she left for a really long time.”
My chest tightens. “I loved her. And now I need to talk to her. I feel like I left what we had behind so long ago, but hearing her name today was a bolt out of the blue. There was so much left unsaid.”
“I know how that goes,” Hunter says. “When Chloe came back, she was still with Scott as far as I knew. But I had to go to that reunion to see her.”
Her gaze shifts to him. “I’m glad you did.”
I roll my eyes. “No gushy stuff, thanks.”
She laughs. “You’re in the wrong house if you want to avoid that.”
I’m not expecting anything from Emma—what we had was far too long ago for that. But it’ll be good to sit down and maybe find out why she never contacted me after she left.
What I had with Emma was short, but intense. She’s the only person I ever imagined spending my life with. But we were sixteen when she left town—her father was part of a church that built a community in the South Island, but she promised me she’d stay in touch.
I haven’t lived the last twenty-seven years without settling down because of her. But I’ve never felt that spark with anyone else. It feels lame, but at the same time, after seeing the way Chloe and Scott were, there’s a big part of me that believes in soul mates.
Emma was mine. It was a long time ago, and while I’ve had other relationships, none have stuck with me like my relationship with her.
I spent years chasing that feeling again and never found it.
I’m not a fool—clearly she moved on in that time, but the thought of seeing her again leaves me wondering about closure and whether I’ll finally get it after all this time.
Maybe we could rekindle our friendship.
“Caleb?” Chloe prods my arm with her index finger.
“What?”
“You were a million miles away. I asked if you want to stay for dinner?”
“I’d never say no to that.” I grin at her. “Beats Mum’s cooking any day.”
Hunter roars with laughter. “That’s rich coming from a guy who’s never left home.”
“I have my reasons. I’m not staying for her cooking, that’s for sure.”
“You two are so mean about your mother.”
